Mining machine and elements thereof



May 2, .1939. ELF-M5 2,15 ,7

MINING MACHINE AND ELEMENTS THEREOF Filed May 27, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Fran/r 1, .Fullre, BY v ATTOR N EYS y 2, 1939- FL. FULKE 2,156,726

MINING MACHINE AND ELEMENTS THEREOF Filed May 27, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Fran/a 111 111262 ATTORNEYS Patented May 2, 1939 PATENT OFFICE MINING MACHINE AND ELEMENTS THEREOF Frank L. Fulke, Terre Haute, Ind., assignor to Frank Prox Company, Terre Haute, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Application May 2'7, 1935, Serial No. 23,592

9 Claims.

The present applicationrelates to mining machine cutter chains and the elements thereof, particularly the links themselves, the manner of'associating bit-gripping devices with such links, and means for associating cutter bits with such devices- Mining machine cutter chains are made up of a plurality of individual links, at least some of said links carrying, in some suitable manner, cutter bits adapted to attack the coal into which the chain is fed by bodily movement of the mining machine or the cutter bar thereof. In the practical mining machine art, it has been almost, if not quite, universal practice to use, with such links, cutter bits having long integral shanks extending into sockets formed in the chain links, and secured therein in some suitable manner. Within the past few years, that practice has been invaded, to some extent, by the introduction of relatively small bits, sometimes reversible, held in place between clamping members suitably "carried in or on the chain links. It is an object of the present invention to provide, for. use with a small double-pointed bit, clamping means of novel characteristics which shall be more effective in holding the cutter bits, 'more readily manipulable to permit substitution or reversal of such cutter bits, and more reliable in. operation than any of such clamping means heretofore introduced to the practical art. a

Further objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, my invention may be embodied in the forms illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that change may be made in the specific constructions illustrated and described, or in the specific steps stated, so long as the scope of the appended claims is not violated.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a mining machine chain link having associated therewith novel clamping means for supporting upon the link a suitable double-pointed bit, said clamping means and bitbeing constructed in accordance with the present invention, and parts being broken away .for clarity of illustration;

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through another form of clamping mechanism constructed in accordance with the present invention;

, Fig. 4 is a horizontal section .through the same, looking upwardly;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a tooth or bit which prising a body portion 2 l a head 22, and terminal I have invented and which is illustrated in association with various clamping means of the present application;

Fig. 6 is a rear elevation thereof;

Fig. '7 is a top plan view thereof;

Fig. 8 is a front elevation, upon an enlarged scale, of one element of the clamping means of arrows Fig. 13is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing a further modification; and

Fig. 14 is a View similar to Fig. 3 and showing a still further modification. 20

Referring, first, to the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, it will be seen that I have shown a more or less conventional mining chain link indicated generally at ZlLand comears .23, 23, said ears being provided with per- I .forations 24, 24 for the reception of rivets connecting said link in the chain. While I have illustrated a linkin which the head 22 is centrally located, it will be recognized that the invention is applicable to links in which the head is ofiset; and, as the description of the link of Figs. 1 and 2 continues, it will be perceived that such link is reversible, so that two identical links may be reversely located in a chain to position the oifset heads thereof respectively to one side and the-other side of the median plane of the chain.

The link .20 is formed with a rectangular broached opening 25 extending completely therethrough, from the upper surface of the head 22 to the bottom of the body portion 2 I; and in said opening 25 is received clamping mechanismfor holding a bit in position on the link to attack thecoal into which the chain is fed by bodily movement of the mining machine, or the cutter bar thereof.

The clamping o-r gripping mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises a plurality of members including a wedge member 26 of generally rectangular cross section and provided with a rearwardly and upwardly presented wedge face 21. At its forward face, said wedge member 26 is formed with at least one transverse groove; and I prefer to form at least three of suchgrooves, 2B, 55

29, and 39, vertically spaced from each other. The front wall of the opening 25 is formed with a groove 3|, and it will readily be seen that a pin 32 is adapted to be received in the groove 3| and in one of the grooves 28, 29, or 30 to hold the wedge member 26 rigidly in place in the opening 25.

The purpose of providing a plurality of grooves 28, 29, and 30 in the wedge member 26 is to permit variation in the gage of the cutter bit, with respect to the link 29.

The clamping mechanism comprises also a jaw element 33 formed, in its forward face, with a groove comprising a seating section 34, which has the shape of a segment of a double-convex disc, and a. portion 35, the flaring walls of which have the shape of the walls of the portion 34, but the base of which is not curved.

The portion 35 of said groove merges into a socket 36 terminating at its lower end in a shoulder 31. The lower end of the element 26 is formed likewise with a socket 38 which is open at its lower end; and a coiled spring 39 is received in said sockets 36 and 31, bearing at its upper end against the end of the socket 38, and at its lower end against the shoulder 31.

A cutter bit 49 is received between the groove 34 and the wedge surface 21 of the element 26. It will be seen that, since the element 26 is rigidly held by the pin 32, the tendency of the spring 39 is to force the element 33 downwardly to clamp the cutter bit 49 tightly between the cam surface 21 and the jaw groove 34.

The bit 49 is of unique construction, fitting closely within the groove 34, with its lower end within the portion 35 of the groove in the element 33, but free from abutment against anything. It will be seen that the bit 49 is held by the engagement of the element 33 and 26 with portions of said bit intermediate its ends. The exact construction of the bit 40 will be described hereinafter.

Adjacent its upper ends, the element 33 is formed with a socket 4! into which is adapted to be inserted a pin 43 carried by a tool 42. Said tool carries also a pin 44 adapted to engage the top surface of the link head 22; so that clockwise movement of the tool 42 will act to lift the element 33 against the tendency of the spring 39 to release the bit 40.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, it will be seen that the link head 45 is formed with a pair of sockets 46 and 41 of circular cross section, said sockets being bored on parallel axes, and such axes being spaced apart a distance somewhat less than the sum of the radii of said respective bores, whereby said sockets overlap to provide communication therebetween throughout their lengths.

In the socket 46 is received a jaw element 48 formed, in its forward face, with a groove comprising a seating section 49 which has the shape of a segment of a double-convex disc, and a portion 50, the walls of which have the shape of the walls of the portion 49, but which is not curved. Adjacent its upper end, the element 48 carries a rearwardly projecting pin and adjacent its lower end, said element 48 carries a forwardly projecting pin 52. i

The socket 41 receives a wedge element 53 formed with an upwardly and rearwardly facing wedge surface 54 adjacent its upper end. Adjasaid element, said socket receiving a coiled spring 56. The rear wall of said element 53 is provided, adjacent its lower end, with a slot 51 through which the pin 52 projects into engagement with the lower end of spring 56. The front wall of the element 53 is formed with a transverse groove 58 adapted to register with a transverse groove 59 formed in the head 45. A pin 66 is adapted to be received, partially in the groove 58 and partially in the groove 59, to hold said element 53 rigidly in place in its socket 41; and it will be quite clear that the spring 56, bearing on the pin 52, tends to hold the element 48 downwardly in its socket 46.

A cutter bit 49, identical with the bit 49 of Fig. l, is snugly received in the seating portion 49 of the groove of the jaw element 48 and is engaged, on its flat front face, by the wedge face 54 of the element 53. Obviously, the tendency of the spring 56 is to wedge the bit 40 tightly in place between the seat 49 and the surface 54.

For manipulating the element 48, I prefer to provide a tool having a head 6| in which is eccentrically formed an aperture 62 adapted to receive the pin 5!. Said tool comprises also a shank 63; and it will be obvious that, when the tool is associated with the pin 5| in the manner indicated in Fig. 3, rotative movement of the shank 63 in either direction will bring the cam head 6| into contact with the link head 45 to lift the element 48 against the tendency of the spring 56, thereby releasing the bit 40.

In Fig. 9, I have illustrated diagrammatically the manner of forming the groove 4958 in the element 48. The cutter indicated generally at 64 comprises a plurality of teeth 65, the outer end of each of which has substantially the form of a Gothic arch, said teeth being mounted upon a rotatable shaft 66. It will be clear that suitable operation of the cutter 64 will form the straightbacked portion 59 and the curved portion 49 of said groove. This same operation is used in forming the groove in the jaw member of each of the clamping assemblies illustrated in the present application.

In Figs. 5, 6, and '7, I have illustrated in detail the bit or tooth which I prefer to use with my gripping devices. Said bit comprises a fiat front wall 61, the contour of which is a sharp-ended ellipse; and two identicahconvex walls 68 and 69, the contours of which are segments of convex circular figures. The Walls 68 and 69 meet in a relatively sharp curved edge the walls 61 and 68 meet in a curved cutting edge 1 I and the walls 61 and 69 meet in a curved cutting edge 12, identical with the edge 1|. The edges 1| and 12 meet, in the plane of the edge 16, in a sharp cutting point 13, at one end, and in a sharp cutting point 14, at the other end.

Briefly stated, the completed bit has the shape of a minor segment of a disc which diminishes in thickness, in a curved line, toward its edge; in other words, a minor segment of a double-convex disc.

In Figs. 10 to 14 I have illustrated three other forms of clamping means. Figs. 10 to 12 inclusive illustrate a form in which the head H6 of a link H5 is formed with a pair of paraxial sockets H1 and H8. A jaw member H9 is received in the socket H1, and is formed in its forward face with a groove having a seating section 120 of the above-described characteristics and a lower section l2l. A wedge member I22, having an upwardly and rearwardly presented wedge face I23, is received in the socket H8, and

re earse is provided with'a-reduced threaded-extension I24 Adjacent its lower end, and in its rear face,

the element 'I I9 is notched to provide awshoulder I26 against which bears one end of a spring I21 received in a socket I28 formed in the head H6 at an angle to the socket I I1, and communicating therewith. The other end ofthespringlfl'bears against an adjustable abutment I29 threaded into the outer end of thesocket I28.

Adjacent its upper end, the element II9 carries a rearwardly projecting pin I30 with which may be associated a manipulating tool I3I provided with an eccentrically formed aperture I32 adapted toreceive said pin I311. The manner of manipulation of the element I I9 is identical with the manner of manipulation of the element 48.

In Fig. 13, I have'shown a link I33 having a head I34 provided with :paraxial sockets I35 and I36. The socket I35 slidably receives a jaw element'I31 formed with a groovehaving'a'seating portion I38 and a straight portion I39. A wedge member I46 having an upwardly and rearwardly presented wedge face MI is received in the socket I35 and is formed, in. its forward face, with 'a pocket I42 receiving the reduced end I43 of a screw I 44 threadedly mounted in a threaded bore I45 communicating with the socket I36. Obviously, the screw I44 will hold the element I46 against movement in its socket I36.

The head I34 is formed, adjacent the socket I35, with a paraxial, internally threaded socket I45 receiving an adjusting screw I41 provided with an annular flange I48 received in a notch I49 in the rear face of the element I31. Obviously, rotation of the screw I41 in one direction or the other will move said screw upwardly or downwardly; and the element I31 will participate in any such reciprocating movement of the screw In Fig. 14 I have shown a link I50 having a head II provided with paraxial sockets I52 and I53. A jaw element I54 is received in the socket I52 and is formed in its front face with a groove comprising a seating section I55 and a straight section I56. A wedging element I51, having an upwardly and rearwardly presented wedge face I58, is received in the socket I53, said element I51 being provided with a reduced threaded extension I 59 received in a. threaded socket I60 at the base of the socket I53. In its rear face, the element I54 is provided with a laterally elongated slot I6I adapted to receive an eccentric projection I52 on an element I63 rotatably mounted in the head I5I. As shown, said element I33 comprises a threaded portion I64 received in a threaded bore I65 in the head I5I; but it will be clear that said element I63 might be a smooth-sided element received in a smooth bore, there being means provided for preventing axial movement of said element, and for holding said element against accidental rotation.

It will be seen that all of the clamping mechanisms illustrated in the present application show, as a common characteristic, the idea of the provision of two cooperating clamping elements, one being held against movement, and the other being movable axially to clamp the bit between said elements. This characteristic permits the arrangement in which the transverse dimensions of the clamping elements snugly fit the sockets in which said elements are received; and in this respect, all of the clamping mechanisms illustrated herein differ from prior artclamping mechanisms known tome. In all of j the clamping mechanisms of the patented art andthe practical art, of whichIhave knowledge,

the -movement of the movable element of the clamping mechanism has been-either in a direction'generally transverse to the axis of the associated clamping element, or has been a rocking movement about an 'axis transverse to the axis of theclampingelements. Either of these arrangements requires clearances which, in use,

rapidly-become clogged with coal dust; thereby interfering with, if notcompletely destroying, the operability of the clamping mechanism. As is clearly to be seen from an inspection of the drawings of the present application, there is nowhere, in any one of the clamping mechanisms illustrated herein, any room for coal dust to enter and clog any portion of the clamping mechanism.

It -willbe seen that the'association of my immovable wedging element, my yieldab-le seating element, and mybit embraced between them is such that a very powerful wedgelock is established, and it will also be apparent that working forces received by the bit while the cutting operationprogresses will aid and urge this wedgelocked relationship-of these associated parts toward greater solidity and security.

I claim as my invention:

1. A mining chain link, a pair of bit supporting elements associating a bit with said link, a bit engaged by and between said supporting elements, a spring between and engaging said elements and biasing the bit-engaging portions of said elements toward each other.

2. A mining chain link having a socket, a bit and a pair of bit supporting elements in said socket, one of said elements being urged inwardly of said socket by a spring engaged between said bit-supporting elements, an unlocking device engaging said element and said link and operable to shift said one element in an outward direction against said spring influence.

3. The combination with a mining machine chain link, of a cutter bit and means carried by said link for holding said bit, said means com prising a jaw member formed to provide a seat having a pair of converging walls meeting in a curved line lying in a plane between said walls, said seat snugly receiving said bit, a Wedge member associated with said jaw and adapted to engage a surface of said bit, and means for shifting one of said members relative to the other to clamp said bit between said wedge member and said seat.

4. The combination with a mining machine chain link having a socket therein, of a cutter bit and means received in said socket for holding said cutter bit, said means comprising a wedgemember received in said socket, means for holding said wedge member in place in said socket, a jaw member received in said socket, said wedge member and said jaw member being formed with cooperating seating surfaces for clamping said bit therebetween, and spring means urging said jaw member in a clamping direction.

5. The combination with a mining machine chain link of a plural-pointed bit, and cooperative members engageable with said bit for locking the same in place on said link, one of said members being threadedly attached to said link, whereby optional gauge between the bit point and the link may be obtained.

6. The combination with a mining machine chain link having formed therein two paraxial part-cylindrical sockets, the distance between the axes of said sockets being greater than the radius of either of said sockets, but less than the sum of the respective radii of said sockets, of a cutter bit, and means received in said sockets for holding said cutter bit.

7. The combination with a mining machine chain link having a socket therein, of a cutter bit and means received in said socket for holding said cutter bit, said means comprising a wedge member received in said socket, a jaw member received in said socket, said wedge member and said jaw member being formed with cooperating seating surfaces for clamping said bit therebetween, an element rotatably mounted in said link on an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of said socket, said jaw member being formed with a slot, and an eccentric projection on said element received in said slot, whereby rotation of said element shifts said jaw member axially in its socket.

8. The combination with a mining machine chain link having formed therein two paraxial part-cylindrica1 sockets, the distance between the axes of said sockets being greater than the radius of either of said sockets but less than the sum of the respective radii of said sockets, of a cutter bit, an element secured in one of said sockets, a clamping element slidably received in the other of said sockets, said elements being formed with cooperating surfaces clampingly receiving said bit therebetween, said clamping element being formed with a step disposed in a plane intersecting the line of movement of said clamping element, and a member received in said link and movable in a line substantially perpendicular to the plane of said step and engaging said step to urge said clamping element into clamping engagement with said bit.

9. In combination, a mining machine chain link formed to provide two intersecting paraxial part-cylindrical sockets, a clamping element slidably mounted in one of said sockets, a cutter bit, means removably mounted in the other of said sockets and providing a surface cooperative with a surface on said clamping element for clampingly engaging said bit, a step formed on said clamping element and disposed in a plane angularly intersecting the axis of movement of said clamping element, and a member carried by said link and movable in a line substantially perpendicular to said plane and engaging said step to urge said clamping element into clamping engagement with said bit.

FRANK L. FULKE. 

